Double Trouble Comes to Fogartyville

Music

“If you’re part of the resistance, it’s hard to be depressed,” says folk singer and social activist Anne Feeney. And for nearly 50 years, Feeney has made herself a part of the resistance, first as a protester and organizer in the Nixon era and then touring the US, Canada and pockets of Europe with her guitar and a message of equality and social justice. This Friday, Feeney teams up with fellow songwriter and comedian Eric Schwartz as the pair’s Double Trouble tour sweeps through Sarasota for a night of music, laughter and good-natured political commentary. Beginning at 8pm at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, tickets are $12 in advance or $15 the day of.

An avid labor rights advocate, Feeney’s music has been featured in multiple documentaries (most notably the song “Have You Been to Jail for Justice”), is regularly featured on Democracy Now! and has been recorded by artists such as Peter, Paul and Mary. Schwartz, a longtime friend of Feeney, has made his own mark in the political comedy sphere, with parody songs and videos such as “Keep Your Jesus Off My Penis” going viral with more than a million downloads. “Eric is a giant in comedy and a fabulous instrumentalist,” says Feeney, including guitar, piano and “the voice of an angel.” But, she says, he’s never afraid to get political. And for the woman once praised by Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello (“Few have raised as much hell on an acoustic guitar as [Anne Feeney],” he said), that’s important. “We’re very in-your-face,” says Feeney. “Nobody has to study our lyrics to figure out what they’re about.”

But, she says, that doesn’t mean it won’t be a good time first and foremost. Splitting the stage with Schwartz for two 45-minute sets (there will be a break for schmoozing and merch) plus “all the encores,” humor is an important part of the equation. “When people ask why I’m an activist, they act like I’m Mother Teresa making this sacrifice,” says Feeney. “I do it because it’s fun and it keeps me happy and motivated.” The goal isn’t to lecture, but commune on the importance of social issues of the day while entertaining. “I’m hoping they’ll be sore from laughing,” she says, “and they’ll be inspired to go out and resist injustice and unfairness.”

Anne Feeney and Eric Schwartz and the Double Trouble tour come to Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center this Friday, March 17. The show starts at 8pm and tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.